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Selective Mutism
Children Who Are Sometimes Unable To Speak
Many years ago, I taught in a small, First Nations, one-room school. It was there that I met Dora who spoke only to her cousins, and although I did not know it at the time this was my first case of Selective Mutism. Over time, I did manage to get some words out of her. I got her to say "yes," "no," "No, thank you, Mr. Langford" and “Yes, thank you, Mr. Langford.” Unfortunately the school closed at the end of the year.
Since then I have met, and successfully worked with, other children who were selectively mute. I suspect there are many more who are misdiagnosed as autistic, or just left to their own devices because they bother no one. Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum, at selectivemutism.org estimates that there are as many children suffering from Selective Mutism as there are suffering from autism. However, we hear a lot about autism in the press and virtually nothing about Selective Mutism. The possibility is that many children who are selectively mute are not being effectively helped.
Selective Mutism is a condition that is found in young children. It is exactly what it sounds like: the child is mute in some situations. If a child, apparently within the normal range of all other developmental criteria, speaks only in certain situations, and does not speak in other situations, then likely this is Selective Mutism and professional help should be sought. For example, a child may speak with his parents and his grandparents, but not speak at all in his or her preschool, either to the other children, or to the teachers. Without intervention the problem may well deteriorate and become entrenched.
Children who are selectively mute can be helped, but first a diagnosis is needed to ensure that the problem is, in fact, Selective Mutism. When the diagnosis has been made, a knowledgeable behaviour therapist is needed to guide the interventions. Frequently the professional making the diagnosis will be the person to guide the interventions; the procedures are simple but delicate and sophisticated.
Psychiatrists talk about medication taking the edge off anxiety; indeed some children will need this help. This is a matter for discussion between the parent, the psychiatrist, and possibly the behaviour therapist. Unlike other situations that require medication, when the child does start to speak it is probable that the medication can be gradually discontinued.
Almost always in these situations, one has to look at the environment in which this condition developed. Sometimes the most well-meaning parents or teachers entrench the child's mutism with mildly inappropriate action. For example, urging a child to speak in certain situations may engender anxiety and reinforce the mutism. Thus it cannot be emphasized too strongly that expert help is a necessity.
Children Who Are Sometimes Unable To Speak
Many years ago, I taught in a small, First Nations, one-room school. It was there that I met Dora who spoke only to her cousins, and although I did not know it at the time this was my first case of Selective Mutism. Over time, I did manage to get some words out of her. I got her to say "yes," "no," "No, thank you, Mr. Langford" and “Yes, thank you, Mr. Langford.” Unfortunately the school closed at the end of the year.
Since then I have met, and successfully worked with, other children who were selectively mute. I suspect there are many more who are misdiagnosed as autistic, or just left to their own devices because they bother no one. Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum, at selectivemutism.org estimates that there are as many children suffering from Selective Mutism as there are suffering from autism. However, we hear a lot about autism in the press and virtually nothing about Selective Mutism. The possibility is that many children who are selectively mute are not being effectively helped.
Selective Mutism is a condition that is found in young children. It is exactly what it sounds like: the child is mute in some situations. If a child, apparently within the normal range of all other developmental criteria, speaks only in certain situations, and does not speak in other situations, then likely this is Selective Mutism and professional help should be sought. For example, a child may speak with his parents and his grandparents, but not speak at all in his or her preschool, either to the other children, or to the teachers. Without intervention the problem may well deteriorate and become entrenched.
Children who are selectively mute can be helped, but first a diagnosis is needed to ensure that the problem is, in fact, Selective Mutism. When the diagnosis has been made, a knowledgeable behaviour therapist is needed to guide the interventions. Frequently the professional making the diagnosis will be the person to guide the interventions; the procedures are simple but delicate and sophisticated.
Psychiatrists talk about medication taking the edge off anxiety; indeed some children will need this help. This is a matter for discussion between the parent, the psychiatrist, and possibly the behaviour therapist. Unlike other situations that require medication, when the child does start to speak it is probable that the medication can be gradually discontinued.
Almost always in these situations, one has to look at the environment in which this condition developed. Sometimes the most well-meaning parents or teachers entrench the child's mutism with mildly inappropriate action. For example, urging a child to speak in certain situations may engender anxiety and reinforce the mutism. Thus it cannot be emphasized too strongly that expert help is a necessity.
